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PEKK 8000

Grade

also Kepstan

8000 = kepstan 8000-type

Use only when maximum crystallinity, chemical resistance and short-term temperature capability justify the very narrow 400 °C+ processing window.

3D printingSpecialty cost $$$$$

Values for the 8000 condition

Other PEKK grades and fills

PEKK is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at PEKK.

Compare all 8 grades and fillsHide
Grade · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %Hardness
SLS powder
——711.2—
ESD / static-dissipative
Use for satellite, fuel-system and electronics-handling parts requiring controlled surface resistivity without sacrificing PEKK's heat and FST behaviour.85872.587 Shore D
FFF/FDM filament grade
Pick when quoting as-printed extruded parts; expect strong anisotropy with Z-direction roughly 60–70 % of in-plane strength.9093486 Shore D
Kepstan 6000-type
Pick when the widest processing window and lowest melt temperature are needed (powder bed fusion, composite prepreg, coatings).1001002585 Shore D
Kepstan 7000-type
General-purpose balance of crystallisation rate, heat performance and processability; typical basis for filament and injection grades.1001001586 Shore D
8000This page
Kepstan 8000-type
Use only when maximum crystallinity, chemical resistance and short-term temperature capability justify the very narrow 400 °C+ processing window.105105887 Shore D
Carbon-fiber reinforced
Use where maximum stiffness, dimensional stability and low CTE are needed (aerospace brackets, tooling); sacrifices ductility and abrades tooling.—1452—
30 % glass-fiber reinforced
Pick for stiff, creep-resistant, electrically insulating parts at elevated temperature at lower cost than carbon fiber.—1602.5—

What is PEKK 8000?

PEKK 8000 is PEKK in the 8000 grade — use only when maximum crystallinity, chemical resistance and short-term temperature capability justify the very narrow 400 °C+ processing window. PEKK 8000 has a yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) — stronger than 97% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 4.1 GPa (0.595 Msi). PEKK 8000 has a density of 1.3 g/cm³ (0.047 lb/in³), heavier than 69% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 165°C (329 °F).

Advantages

  • High strength — 105 MPa (15.2 ksi), better than 97% of polymer grades
  • High service temperature — 260°C (500 °F), better than 97% of polymer grades
  • Good corrosion resistance — 93/100, better than 95% of polymer grades
  • Stiff — 4.1 GPa (0.595 Msi), better than 87% of polymer grades
  • Conducts heat well — 0.27 W/m·K (0.156 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 78% of polymer grades

Limitations

  • High embodied carbon — 18 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 99% of polymer grades
  • Limited formability — 15/100, worse than 79% of polymer grades

PEKK 8000 properties

Typical room-temperature values for PEKK 8000; 29 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PEKK reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.

Physical5

PEKK 8000 has a density of 1.3 g/cm³ (0.047 lb/in³), heavier than 69% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 165°C (329 °F).

Density1.3 g/cm³0.05 lb/in³
Melting Temperature (Tm)358°C676 °F
Glass Transition (Tg)165°C329 °F
Water Absorption (24 h)0.15%
Water Absorption (Saturation)0.5%

Mechanical16

PEKK 8000 has a yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) — stronger than 97% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 4.1 GPa (0.595 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus4.1 GPa0.59 Msi
Shear Modulus1.4 GPa0.2 Msi
Bulk Modulus7 GPa0.94 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.4
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)105 MPa15.2 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)105 MPa15.2 ksi
Elongation at Break8%
Compressive Strength135 MPa19.6 ksi
Compressive Modulus3.5 GPa0.51 Msi
Flexural Strength162 MPa23.5 ksi
Flexural Modulus4.2 GPa0.61 Msi
Shear Strength67 MPa9.7 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)3.2 MPa·√m2.9 ksi·√in
Izod Impact, Notched44 J/m0.82 ft·lbf/in
Hardness, Shore D87 Shore D
Hardness, Rockwell M102 HRM

Thermal10

PEKK 8000 is rated for continuous service to 260°C (500 °F). It conducts heat at 0.27 W/m·K (0.156 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 78% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 48 µm/m·K (26.7 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity0.27 W/m·K0.16 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity1,050 J/kg·K0.25 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)48 µm/m·K26.7 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)260°C500 °F
Min Service Temperature-60°C-76 °F
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa182°C360 °F
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa165°C329 °F
Flammability (UL 94)V-0 at ≥1.5 mm (inherently flame retardant, very low smoke)
Limiting Oxygen Index41%
Max Service Temperature (short-term)310°C590 °F

Electrical7

PEKK 8000 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 22 kV/mm (558.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity1×10¹⁴ Ω·m3.94×10²¹ µΩ·in
Dielectric Strength22 kV/mm559 V/mil
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)3.3
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)0.004
Volume Resistivity1×10¹⁶ Ω·cm
Surface Resistivity1×10¹⁵ Ω
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)175 V

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is excellent (93/100), better than 95% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.

Corrosion ResistanceExcellent93/100
UV / Weathering ResistanceFair45/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryExcellent against fuels, hydraulic fluids (Skydrol), lubricants, steam, dilute acids/alkalis and most solvents; hydrolysis-resistant to ~250 °C. Attacked by concentrated sulfuric/nitric acid, some halogenated solvents cause swelling; UV exposure needs pigmented/protected grades.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of PEKK 8000 takes about 330 MJ of energy and emits 18 kg of CO₂ — more than 99% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)330 MJ/kg141,875 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)18 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water500 L/kg59.9 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content0%

Manufacturability7

PEKK 8000's machinability is good (65/100, better than 66% of polymer grades); weldability fair (38/100); formability poor (15/100).

MachinabilityGood65/100
WeldabilityFair38/100
Formability (cold)Poor15/100
PolishabilityGood60/100
Mold Shrinkage1.1%
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)405°C761 °F
Mold Temperature (typ.)220°C428 °F

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with PEKK 8000

Is PEKK easy to machine?

Machines like PEEK with sharp carbide/PCD tools, high speed, light feeds and air or flood cooling; stress-relieve (annealing near 200 °C) before finish cuts to avoid distortion.

Can PEKK be welded?

Joinable by laser, ultrasonic, IR and hot-plate welding as well as PAEK-compatible epoxy adhesives after plasma or abrasive surface activation; no solvent bonding.

Can PEKK be formed, bent or molded?

Requires 340–420 °C melt, 160–230 °C tools and dry feedstock (<0.02 % moisture, 150 °C for 3–4 h); FFF needs a 400 °C-class hot end plus 130–200 °C chamber and post-print anneal for crystallinity and Z-strength.

What surface finishes work on PEKK?

Sand/bead-blast or vapour-smooth-free finishing only; no anodizing — parts can be painted or metallised after plasma treatment, and machined surfaces polish to a semi-gloss tan finish.

PEKK chemical composition (wt %)

Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
carbon fiberCF variants only0 – 300
glass fiberGF variants only0 – 400
carbon nanotubeESD variant only0 – 50
polyetherketoneketone repeat unit (from T/I isomer ratio ~60:40 to 80:20 sets Tm; unfilled defaultbalance—

PEKK 8000 — frequently asked

What is PEKK 8000 used for?

PEKK 8000 is typically used for aerospace brackets, air and fluid ducting, satellite components, aerospace composite tooling and structures, electrical insulation parts and implantable orthopaedic devices. In short: space-grade performance.

What is the yield strength of PEKK 8000?

PEKK 8000 has a typical yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) — stronger than 97% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.

Is PEKK 8000 easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 66% of polymer grades). Machines like PEEK with sharp carbide/PCD tools, high speed, light feeds and air or flood cooling; stress-relieve (annealing near 200 °C) before finish cuts to avoid distortion.

Can PEKK 8000 be welded?

With care — weldability is rated fair (38/100). Joinable by laser, ultrasonic, IR and hot-plate welding as well as PAEK-compatible epoxy adhesives after plasma or abrasive surface activation; no solvent bonding.

What surface finishes work on PEKK 8000?

Sand/bead-blast or vapour-smooth-free finishing only; no anodizing — parts can be painted or metallised after plasma treatment, and machined surfaces polish to a semi-gloss tan finish.

Can PEKK 8000 be formed, bent or molded?

Requires 340–420 °C melt, 160–230 °C tools and dry feedstock (<0.02 % moisture, 150 °C for 3–4 h); FFF needs a 400 °C-class hot end plus 130–200 °C chamber and post-print anneal for crystallinity and Z-strength.

What is the maximum service temperature of PEKK 8000?

PEKK 8000 is rated for continuous use to about 260°C (500 °F), and briefly to 310°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Can FabDigit make parts in PEKK 8000?

Yes — PEKK 8000 is available for 3D printing; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.

Sources

  1. Kepstan PEKK 6000/7000/8000 series technical data and processing guide — Arkema (2022)
  2. Antero 800NA and Antero 840CN03 PEKK FDM material datasheets — Stratasys (2023)
  3. Engineering Plastics — polyaryletherketone property overview — ASM International (2000)
  4. CAMPUS / UL Prospector PAEK property listings — CWFG / UL Solutions (2024)
  5. ISO 10993 series (biological evaluation of medical devices) — ISO (2018)
  6. EOS HT-23 (PEKK-CF) — Technical Data Sheet — EOS

Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.